Recognizing Forty Years of Military Education

The 40th anniversary of higher military education in the Liptov region culminated on a festive day in October at the Armed Forces Academy of General Milan Rastislav Štefánik in Liptovský Mikuláš. The event included a display of flags—state, battle and academic—along with a fly over of the L-39 Albatros aircraft, a ceremonial march of troops, the gathering of guests and the university staff, and speeches. Miloš Koterec, state secretary at the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic, took part in the celebrations. He stated that higher military education in the Liptov region has gone through several stages of development since its beginning, and he added that the current academy in Liptovský Mikuláš contributes substantially toward the quality of the Slovak military. Since 1973, a total of 9,560 students received higher education of the second degree and a total 171 graduates received higher education of the third degree (CSc., PhD.). Since 1982, the title of docent, a teaching and scientific equivalent of associate professor, was granted to 110 of the university teachers, and the president of the Slovak Republic nominated 27 university professors. The Armed Forces Academy of General Milan Rastislav Štefánik in Liptovský Mikuláš and its employees are long-serving members of AFCEA. The first AFCEA student club in Slovakia was founded this year at the academy. All of this serves as a reason why representatives from the AFCEA Slovak and Czech chapters along with AFCEA Europe and representatives of the CEFME (Central European Forum on Military Education) took part in the festivities. Several AFCEA personalities were decorated on the eve of the celebrations with a commemorative medal from the academy.

Event Photographs:

In October, attendees gather in the auditorium during the main ceremony celebrating 40 years of higher military education in the Liptov region.